Mary M. Knight

Mission (our purpose):
Our Mission is to ensure that all students have the knowledge, skills, motivation, and confidence to be successful citizens.

Vision (who we must become):
We are a community of learners and leaders united to enrich the lives of all our students.

Dear MMK Families,

Spring is in the air, and so is something I feel every single day when I walk the halls of Mary M. Knight — momentum. We are heading into our second week of March, and with only three weeks left in the quarter before spring break, this is exactly the moment when what we do right now matters most.

This is the stretch of the school year where great things happen — and where great people choose to keep showing up. That is exactly why our GRIT theme this month is so fitting: Tenacity — Finishing Strong. The excitement of fall is behind us, spring break is still a little ways off, and this is the time when our students truly have the opportunity to define who they are. I am so proud of the young people in our building who are doing just that — and this week's GRIT Award recipients are living proof of that commitment.

As we finish this quarter strong, I want to make sure every family has Student-Led Conferences circled on their calendar. Coming up at the end of March, these conferences are one of my favorite events of the entire school year. There is nothing quite like watching a student sit across the table from their family and own their learning — sharing their growth, their challenges, and their goals in their own words. It is powerful, it is meaningful, and it is something I believe you will carry with you long after the conversation ends. Please take a moment to schedule your conference through Skyward Family Access — your child is looking forward to sharing their journey with you.

Speaking of working together — our March character focus on Cooperation could not be more timely. Whether it is in the classroom, on the baseball field this Thursday, on the track, or around your dinner table at home, cooperation is what turns individual effort into something bigger. I hope you will take a few minutes to try one of the family activities in this week's newsletter. The conversations those moments create are worth every minute.

Thank you for trusting us with your children every day. It is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and your partnership — your encouragement at home, your presence at our events, your support of our students — is felt deeply by every person on our staff.

Here's to a strong finish. Let's go, Owls! 🦉

Monday 3/9

• Middle School Sports Begin

Tuesday 3/10

• Art Club 3:00 pm

Wednesday 3/11

• Late start
• After School Metal shop Club 3:30 pm

Thursday 3/12

• After School Woodshop Club 3:30 pm
• HS baseball home opener vs. Lake Quinault 4:00 pm

Friday 3/13

• No School
• HS Track @ North Mason 4:00 pm

Dear MMK Families,

One of our favorite times of the school year is just around the corner — Student-Led Conferences! This is a special opportunity for your child to sit down with you and take ownership of sharing their learning journey. We are so proud of the work our students have been doing, and we can't wait for you to see it through their eyes.

Conference Dates & Times

Please mark your calendars for the following conference windows:

• Wednesday, April 1 — 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM (Please note: There will be no late start this Wednesday due to conferences)
• Thursday, April 2 — 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Friday, April 3 — Early Release Day (no individual conferences scheduled)

How to Sign Up

Scheduling your conference is quick and easy! Simply log in to Skyward Family Access and use the Conference Scheduler to select a time that works best for your family.

Secondary families — because these are student-led conferences, you are welcome to sign up with any teacher on your child's schedule. Your student will be leading the conversation!

If you need assistance accessing Skyward Family Access or have trouble scheduling, please don't hesitate to call the school office and we will be happy to help.

What to Expect at a Student-Led Conference

Student-led conferences are a little different from traditional parent-teacher conferences — and in the best possible way! Your child is in the driver's seat. During the conference, your student will guide you through a meaningful conversation that may include:

• A review of their academic progress across classes
• Test scores and what they mean for their learning
• Personal highlights and reflections on their growth this year
• Work samples that showcase what they've been learning and creating

This format builds confidence, self-advocacy, and communication skills that go far beyond the classroom. Many families tell us it becomes one of the most meaningful conversations they have with their child all year.

Mary M. Knight School District

A Message from the Principal's Desk

Dear Mary M. Knight Families,

As we continue working to protect valuable learning time in our classrooms, we want to remind families of our district expectations around personal cell phones and devices. Your support at home in reinforcing these expectations truly makes a difference, and we thank you for your partnership.

Secondary Students — Grades 7–12

Personal devices must be powered off and fully stored away during class time. This includes the use of headphones and earbuds. Students are welcome to use their devices before school, during passing periods, at lunch, and after school.

Elementary Students — PK–6

Personal devices should remain at home. If your child does bring one to school, it must stay completely put away throughout the entire day — including during recess and lunch.

Corrective Action

Students who do not meet these expectations may have their device temporarily confiscated until the end of the day, and parent pick-up may be required. Ongoing concerns may result in additional disciplinary action.

As always, if you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact the school office and we will make sure your message gets to them.

Thank you for your continued support — we are grateful for the partnership between home and school.

Just a friendly reminder that Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 8, 2026! Don't forget to spring your clocks forward one hour before heading to bed Saturday night. While we all love that extra evening light, Monday morning might feel a little rough — be sure to get some extra rest this weekend and show yourself (and your students!) some grace as we all adjust to the time change. See you Monday! ☀️

National School Breakfast Week was a big success at MMK! Throughout the week, students enjoyed trying new breakfast items and participating in the fun activities that celebrated the importance of starting the day with a healthy meal.

Our biggest highlight came on Tuesday when we served waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream. That morning we reached an all-time high for breakfast participation, showing just how excited students were to join us for breakfast.

It was great to see so many students fueling up for the day. Thank you to everyone who helped make National School Breakfast Week such a success!

🌱 March Character Focus: COOPERATION Part of our CharacterStrong Social-Emotional Learning Program

Dear MMK Families,

Spring is in the air, and so is a great opportunity to grow together! Throughout March, students across all grade levels at Mary M. Knight will be focusing on Cooperation as part of our school-wide CharacterStrong social-emotional learning curriculum. Cooperation is one of three core character traits woven throughout our school year that help our students Be Kind — to each other, to our community, and to themselves.

The best part? You can bring this learning home! Read on to find out what Cooperation means, what your child is working on at school, and some simple, fun ways to practice it together as a family.

What Is Cooperation?

"Working together to reach shared goals."

Cooperation isn't just about taking turns or getting along — it's about contributing your own strengths so that everyone can succeed together. Whether it's a group project in class, a game at recess, or pitching in at home, Cooperation is a skill our MMK students practice every single day.

What Your Child Is Learning at School

Across all grade levels, our teachers are guiding students through lessons that build the real skills that make Cooperation possible. This month, your child is developing:

• Perspective-Taking — understanding a situation from someone else's point of view
• Conflict Resolution — working through disagreements respectfully and finding solutions together
• Leadership & Followership — knowing when to step up and lead, and when to be a supportive and helpful team player

Conversation Starters for the Dinner Table

Try asking your child one of these questions this week — you might be surprised by what you hear!

• "What does Cooperation mean to you in your own words?"
• "What is one way our family could practice Cooperation together this week?"

PurposeFull Pursuits: Try These at Home!

These two family activities come directly from our CharacterStrong curriculum. They are simple, meaningful, and a great way to connect as a family while building real cooperation skills.

Pursuit #1: Team Goal Challenge

Choose a shared family goal that requires everyone's help — maybe it's cleaning up the house, cooking a meal together, tackling a yard project, or organizing a space. Give each person a specific role so that everyone has a part to play. When you're finished, take a moment to celebrate and talk about how each person's contribution made the whole thing possible. That's Cooperation in action!

Pursuit #2: Family Celebration Circle

Find a quiet moment to sit together and take turns sharing responses to these prompts. Remember to practice Cooperation while you listen to each other!

• Who in our family showed great Cooperation this month, and how?
• Share one time you were a leader this month. Share one time you were a great supporter or follower.
• What does Cooperation mean to you?
• What is one new way we can cooperate better as a family going forward?

Thank you for being our partners in raising kind, capable, and cooperative kids. Together, we are the MMK community — and that is Cooperation at its very best.

As always, if you have questions or just want to connect, our door is always open.

🦉 March GRIT Theme: Tenacity in Action — "Finishing Strong"

March is here, and at Mary M. Knight we are focusing on one of the most powerful qualities a person can have: Tenacity. This month's theme — Finishing Strong — is all about staying the course, even when the finish line feels far away.

We are deep into the school year now. The excitement of fall has faded, spring break is still a little ways off, and this is exactly the time when Tenacity matters most. Tenacity means you don't ease up when things get hard or when you feel tired — you dig in, stay focused, and keep giving your best right through to the end.

At MMK, we want our students to finish this school year stronger than they started it. That means completing long-term projects with care, staying focused during state assessments, continuing to work on the skills that are still challenging, and not letting end-of-year fatigue become an excuse to coast.

Families can reinforce Tenacity at home in powerful ways. Keep those homework routines and bedtime schedules going strong — consistency at home directly fuels perseverance at school. When your child feels ready to give up on something hard, remind them: the goal isn't just to start strong, it's to finish strong. That message sticks, and we are so grateful when families carry it home. 💛🦉

⭐ This Week's GRIT Winners — We Are So Proud of You!

Each week, our teachers nominate students who are living out GRIT in real, meaningful ways. This week's winners are an incredible group, and we are so proud to celebrate each one of them!

Aaliyah McCartney — Aaliyah shows GRIT by refusing to give up when things get hard. She just keeps going and going — what a fantastic example of perseverance!

Charlotte Metzger — Charlotte works incredibly hard in both math and reading. She shows GRIT by giving her very best effort every single day. Keep it up, Charlotte!

Lewis Baughman — Lewis shows GRIT in a beautiful way — by being a great friend and stepping in to help classmates who need support. Way to go, Lewis!

Luka Thomas — Luka has been showing GRIT by being a kind and caring friend, especially at recess where it really counts. Great job, Luka!

Our 2nd Grade Class ⭐ — This week, an entire class earned GRIT recognition — and they earned every bit of it! Our 2nd graders show GRIT every single day by finishing their work, doing their best, being kind to one another, and working through problems together like a true team. We are so proud of this class!

Remy Guelzo — Remy shows GRIT through her amazing work habits. She comes into class, gets settled, picks up her book, and gets right to work — no reminders needed. She is always ready to learn and always gives her best. Good job, Remy!

Jasper Severson — Jasper demonstrates GRIT by being a steady, kind presence in the classroom every day. He keeps trying his best and his positivity makes the whole class a happier place. Way to go, Jasper!

Anita Balzer — Anita has set a truly outstanding example for her classmates this week. Despite facing some bumps along the way, she has completed all of her work, stayed focused on her goals, and never once complained. Her tenacity and grace under pressure are something to admire. Keep pushing, Anita — it is showing!

James Horn — James showed real courage and leadership this week. When his partner was absent for the first Elementary PAC meeting, James didn't back down — he walked in on his own. That kind of bravery and willingness to try something new, even when it's a little scary, sets an incredible example for everyone around him. We are so proud of you, James!

Tyler Baslington — Tyler's story this week is one of our favorites, because it shows that GRIT isn't only about what happens in the classroom. Every day, Tyler makes sure he is there for his younger brother Grayson so they can ride the bus home together. He doesn't rush off with friends — he waits, patiently and faithfully, every single day. Recently, when Grayson had to make a quick stop at the high school, Tyler waited again without hesitation. That kind of quiet, steady loyalty takes real patience, real responsibility, and a whole lot of heart. Tyler, you are showing all of us what it truly means to be someone others can count on. We are incredibly proud of you. 🧡

🍽️ This Week's Lunch Menu

• Monday: Hamburgers
• Tuesday: Biscuits and Gravy
• Wednesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Thursday: Sweet & Sour Chicken with Rice
• Friday: pepperoni Pizza

🏃‍♂️ Athletics This Week

• Monday: MS Sports Begin
• Tuesday:
• Wednesday:
• Thursday: HS Baseball vs. Lake Quinault 4:00 pm
• Friday: HS Track @ North Mason 5:00 4:00 pm
• Saturday:

📋 Important Reminders

🔗 District Website: Access to district website

🔗 Skyward Family Access: Access grades and attendance

🔗 Athletic Schedules: MMK Sports Hub

🔗 Character Strong Resources: Available on district website

📧 Questions? Contact us at (360) 426-6767 or visit marymknight.com

Email: jstoney@mmk.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.marymknight.com/
Location: 2987 Matlock-Brady Road, Elma, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 426-6767
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MMKOwls